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Despite earning millions, Jackie Gleason didn't care about money
Money couldn't buy happiness or The Honeymooners star.
Have you ever heard someone say, "I don't care about money"? Jackie Gleason said this before, and he meant it.
The Honeymooners star was worth millions, but being rich is not what gave him the drive to follow his dreams. Of course, it gave him the finer things and an upscale lifestyle, but Gleason cared about success.
In an interview with The Baltimore Sun, the actor talked about the connection between success, money and his life.
"I don't care about money," Gleason said. "Success is like a blue serge suit. You pick up the lint of your critics' behavior. People seem to think I should be ashamed of making $11,000,000. I'm not. I didn't rob a bank. This is America."
The massive amount he was referring to in the quote was made during a contract with CBS. The agreement was for two years and included projects like The Honeymooners. When the journalist, Sheilah Graham, asked, "Are you happy?" the actor replied, "It doesn't make me sad. But there are some burrs in success."
He added, "It isn't a matter of how success handles you. And the secret of long life in show business is to know how to lay an egg gracefully. And never press — for a laugh or to get money. The only way to make money is to cheat and not to cheat."
In the article, the journalist admitted that she was confused by Gleason's statement, so she continued the interview by asking him about his then-upcoming projects.
"I'll be filming 78 shows — 'The Honeymooners.' And I'll film them in New York, not Hollywood," he said. Since he was making more money, it meant there was a lot of work to be done. Yet, the $11,000,000 deal was a big increase from the $250 a week film contract he got at the beginning of his career.
It's safe to say that Gleason was grateful to be able to do what he loved, and the millions were just a bonus.
29 Comments
They didn't call Gleason "The Great One" for nothing!
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Mustn't forget Dick Van Dyke, now 97; will be 98 on Dec 13.
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I'm still curious (unless I missed something), why an article wasn't written or posted for
Norman Lear when he crossed the 100 yr old threshold last year?
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Good point! They wrote one about Sherwood Schwartz, didn't they? Certainly, many of the MASH behind-the-scenes contributors! Not that I'm here to save the day (I think there's a cartoon theme song to that effect, LOL). But I'll send in a suggestion to Contact Us, that it would make a good story. I love what goes on behind the scenes!!
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We all make mistakes. Even the MeTV writers. Don't need to give it a fancy name or drag Freud into it....LOL!
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In some locales, aside from (Cable/Satellite), MeTV can be received OTA( Over the Air). Yes it may be pain to switch your television back and forth from (cab/sat) to antenna, but just another option. FrndlyTV is probably the cheapest though if one doesn't want to go that route. It is also carried on other Cable Systems, however most folks probably don't want to switch providers for one-channel. so there are other choices.
I had the rare privilege to attend one of his Miami Beach tv episodes of his newly-renamed "American Scene Magazine" (1962-66) title for "The Jackie Gleason Show" (1966-Feb. 1970) in the Fall of 1966. The episode was not a "Honeymooners" sketch, but it was fun to be there in person at was then the Miami Beach Municipal Auditorium. Renamed in his honor after he died, Jackie Gleason Theater of the Performing Arts (1987-2007), but in Oct. 2007 renamed, FIllmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater.
"The Honeymooners" address advertised in the series (328 Chauncey Street), was taken from his real life address in Brooklyn: born at 364 Chauncey Street, then grew up at 328 Chauncey Street.
John Herbert "Jackie" Gleason, 71 (Feb. 26, 1916 - Jun. 24, 1987)
